Ball valve



Jan. 18,1927.

R. H. MUELLER ET Al.

BALL VALVE Filed 001,. 26, 1925 v gnwnlow Strumgs in a relatively widerange.

Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,614,800 PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT H. MUELLER AND WILLIAM J. MIX, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS T0ADOLPH MUELLER, TRUSTEE, 0F DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

BALL YALVE.

Application led October 26, 1925. Serial No. 64,916.

The present invention relates to valves, and more particularly to floatcontrolled valves of the type ordinarily employed in connection withflush tanks.

An object of the invent-ion' is to provide a valve of simplified;frconstruction which may be manufactured at a considerable saving in thecost of ordinarily incident to manufacture of valves of this type, andfurther, to provide a valve which may be readily adapted by the plumberfor use with water systems irrespective ot' the inflow pressure.

Heretofore it has been necessary to manufacture these valves in varioussizes and constructed for water systems having specified pressureranges, since it is important that. the water ilowing into the flushtank or like receptacle, be suitably regulated to a suitable pressure.

The present invention contemplates the provision in a. valve of a flowregulator which may be conveniently adjusted to adapt the valve to anygiven pressurewith- The means for regulating the flow pressurepreferably takes the form of a number of plugs having flow passages orapertures therein of varying size, whereby a plug having a flow passageof any suitable size may be convenicntly inserted in the valve casing.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown one preferred-embodiment ofthe invention, and in this dra-wings- Figure 1 is a vertical sectionalview taken through the valve casing showing the valve installed.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of a portion of the float operatedcontrol lever and the upper portion of the valve casing to which thelever is secured.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals designate correspondingv parts,10 indicates the` lower'end of a flush tank or the like, having asuitable aperture through which extends the threaded shank 11 of a valvecasing 12, the casing being secured to the tank by means of a lock nut13 thereon below the wall of the tank and a flange 14, which is pressedagainst the wall by means of the nut 13, a gasket 14 being insertedbetween the nut and the undersurface of the tank. The lower end of theshank 11 is secured to a supply pipe 15 in a'suitable manner, as by acoupling collar 16, and at its upper end the casing carries a movablevalve member I7 having a sliding fit in a chamber 12 and carrying avalve washer 18, which is adapted to bear against a seat 19. Passage offluid upwardly through the seat 19 is controlled by means of thevalve,`and when the latter is raised the water makes its egress througha spout 20. The valve casing carries the usual nipple 21, to which maybe connected an after-wash tube as is customary in a valve of this type.

The movable valve member 17 projects upwardly through the open upper endof the casing, and has a. reduced neck portion 17 which tits between thearms 22 of a forked lug extending laterally from a valve o erating andfloat controlled lever 23, whici is pivoted upon a pin 24 carriedbetween laterally projecting lugs 25 on the Casin Above the pivot pin24. the lever exten s upwardly and carries the usual rod`26 having thefloat ball 27 thereon. Belowits pivot .the lever carries a downwardlyprojecting stop lug 28 adapted to engage the stop 29 upon the casing andlim-it the upward movement of the valve when the float ball 27 descends.

In addition to the valve operating arms 22, the valve lever 23 carriesan integral baille plate or canopy 307 which extends outwardly over thevalve casing above the valve member 17 to prevent water which may passthrough the chamber 12 and around the valve, from discharging u wardlyinto the flush tank. plates are broadly old in valves of this character,it is to be observed that the plate 30 is formed as an integral part ofthe float control valve lever 23, and is of sufficient size to remainover the valve casing when the lever 23 is moved to the left to raisethe valve. By combining the baille plate with the valve lever 23 andforming it as 'an integral part thereof, the assembling and dismantlingof the valve is facilitated, and, moreover, since the valve lever iscast in one piece in the control arm and baille plate, the expense ofmanufacture is considerably reduced.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a flowregulator, preferably in the valve casing.

As has been hereinbefore stated, the pres- Although ba e ol the valve towater systems of different,

pressures1 we have provided a readily adjustable flow regulator withinthe valve casing. In the present inst-ance this regulator takes the'form of a plug having a central passageway all therethrough and formedperipherally with suitable means such as threading 35h) cooperate withcomplemental means, in the present instance, threadingV upon the casing.These plugs may be furnished With flow passages 3a ot dilerent sizes,the diameter of the plug being the same inV each instance, so that thevalve casing and seat for the plug may be of standard' dimensions. Inthe present instance, the plugy regulator is formed with a socket orrecess 36 toreceive a tool such as a screw .driver, whereby it may beconveniently positioned 1n the casingandremoved therefrom.

It will be. understood.I of course. that the yplug is assembled With thevalve casing be fore the valve is positioned in the flush tank and theplumber will select a regulating plug having a passageway of a sizesuitable for the pressure of the particular Water system7 the HOW ofwhich is to be controlled.

@bviously numerous variations may be made Within the constructiondescribed Withoutdeparting from the invention which is defined in thefollowing claim.

IVe claim:

In a valve of the class describech a casing having an opening therein atits upper end, a movable valve member in the casing having a portionprojecting from the casing through said opening, and a valve operatinglever connected With the portion of said member projecting from saidcasing by means of an integral slotted arm receiving .said member, andan integral baille plate en said lever above said arm andv member,whereby to prevent fluid from being discharged upwardly around saidmember,

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands.

ROBERT H. MELLEB. WILLIAM J'. MIX..

